Strawberry plant named &#39;PS-5096&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PS-5096’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PS-5096’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is characterized by medium to small sized fruit which are orange-red to red in color; medium to small calyx diameter; conical, glossy fruit with the calyx which tends to be slightly reflexed; light to medium green foliage, which is slightly concave to slightly convex in shape with medium interveinal blistering and gloss; and position of fruiting truss tends to be more level with to above the plant with weak pubescence.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Fragaria ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PS-5096’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietydesignated as ‘PS-5096’. This new variety is a result of a controlledcross made by the inventors Stephen M. Ackerman, Steven D. Nelson, andMichael D. Nelson, in 1997 between strawberry variety ‘PS-592’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety designated‘PS-1150’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,780). The variety isbotanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexuallypropagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif.,and was subsequently selected by the inventors from a controlledbreeding plot in Salinas, Calif., in 1999. After its selection, the newvariety was further asexually propagated by stolons in both SiskiyouCounty, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety wasextensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields ofSalinas, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combinationof traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixedand remain true to type through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PS-5096’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe central coast of California. This region provides the necessarywinter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plantand to remain in fruit production from April through November. Thenearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderatetemperatures to maintain fruit quality during the spring and summerproduction months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PS-5096’, which in combination distinguishthis strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

1. Medium to small sized fruit;

2. Orange-red to red fruit color;

3. Medium to small calyx diameter;

4. Conical, glossy fruit with the calyx which tends to be slightlyreflexed;

5. Light to medium green foliage; slightly concave to slightly convex inshape with medium interveinal blistering and gloss; and

6. Position of fruiting truss tends to be more level with to above theplant with weak pubescence.

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related tothe new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ are the strawberry variety ‘PS-592’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and the strawberry variety ‘PS-1150’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,780).

In comparison to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1150’, the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ differs by the followingcombination of characteristics as described in Table 1: TABLE 1 ‘PS-592’‘PS-1150’ Characteristic ‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) 1. Averageberry weight (gm)  19.3  23.1  17.6 2. Achenes per berry 254 304 293 3.Distribution of red color Only marginal Marginal & central Marginal &central of the internal flesh 4. Number of crowns per Plant  5.5  5.0 5.0 5. Plant Size Medium to large Large Medium 6. Stolon anthocyaninintensity Absent or very weak Medium Medium to strong 7. Stolonpubescence Weak to medium Medium Medium to strong 8. Foliage Color(upper surface) Light to medium green Medium green Medium green 9.Foliage interveinal blistering Medium Medium to strong Weak to medium10. Foliage gloss Medium Strong Weak 11. Fruiting truss position Levelwith to above Level with to beneath Above relative to foliage 12.Fruiting truss pubescence Weak Medium Medium

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’, at variousstages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical description which accuratelydescribe the color of ‘PS-5096’. The depicted plant and plant parts ofthe new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ were taken in Salinas, Calif., andare approximately 8 to 9 months old.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics taken in the monthof June, 2006.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure taken in themonth of June, 2006.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit taken in the monthof June, 2006.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of fruit taken in the month of July, 2006.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘PS-5096’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail,depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘PS-5096’, unless otherwise noted, is based onobservations taken during the 2006 growing season in Salinas, Calif.These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PS-5096’ dugfrom a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. duringthe middle of October 2005 and planted approximately 3 weeks later inSalinas, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 7 to 10months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics areaveraged from four years of data collected from the 2003 through 2006growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are fromsecondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics andmeasurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors,Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following Tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘PS-5096’ in comparison to the similar strawberry varieties‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1 150’. TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’‘PS-1150’ Characteristic ‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Color ofmature fruit 7.5R 3/12-4/12 7.5R 3/12-4/12 7.5R 4/10-3/8 Orange red tored Orange red to red Red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 4/10-4/12 7.5R5/10-4/10 7.5R 4/10-4/12 Medium red Light red Medium red Length (cm)43.9 48.3 42.0 Width (cm) 36.8 42.6 36.9 Ratio length/width 1.19 1.131.14 Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad thanbroad than broad Calyx diameter (cm) 4.0 5.0 4.2 Average weight (gm)19.3 23.1 17.6 Achene color 5Y 6/8-7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8-7.5R 3/8 5Y6/8-7.5R3/8 Achenes per berry 254 304 293 Achene weight (mg) 0.59 0.61 0.56Marketable yield (gm/plt) 1,219 1,392 1,010 Size Medium to small Mediumto large Small Predominant shape Conical Conical Conical Difference inshapes None or very slight Moderate Slight between primary and secondaryfruit Band without achenes Absent or very Absent or very Absent or verynarrow narrow narrow Unevenness of surface Absent or very weak WeakAbsent or very Evenness of color Even Slightly uneven Even to evenGlossiness Strong Medium to strong Strong Insertion of achenes Levelwith surface Level with surface Level with surface Insertion of calyx Inthe basin to level Level to above fruit In the basin to level Attitudeof the calyx Spreading to Spreading to Collapsing to reflexed reflexedreflexed Size of calyx in relation to Slightly larger Slightly largerSlightly larger fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong Strong StrongFirmness of skin Strong Medium Strong Firmness of flesh Firm MediumMedium to firm Distribution of red color Only marginal Marginal andMarginal and of the flesh central central Hollow center expressionModerate Moderate to strong Moderate to strong Flavor Good Very goodFair Soluble solids (% Brix) 8.3 8.0 7.4 Time of first flowering MediumEarly Late Time of first harvesting Medium Early Late Harvest periodEarly April to Late March to Mid April to early December early Decemberearly December Type of bearing Partially remontant Partially remontantPartially remontant

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ Characteristic‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Height (cm) 29.7 31.0 30.0 Spread(cm) 31.7 35.1 28.8 Crowns/plant  5.5  5.0  5.0 Size Large to mediumLarge Medium Habit Globose Globose Globose Density Medium Open to mediumMedium Vigor Medium to strong Strong Medium

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ Characteristic‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Average number 0.7 1.2 0.8 perplant Fruiting Field Few Few to medium Few Anthocyanin 7.5R 6/6-6/4 7.5R5/6-5/4 7.5R 4/6-5/6 coloration Anthocyanin Absent or very Medium Mediumto strong intensity weak Diameter at bract 4.0 4.4 4.2 (mm) Thin tomedium Thick Thin to medium Pubescence Weak to medium Medium Medium tostrong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ Characteristic‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Foliage: Color of upper surface7.5GY 4/4-3/4 7.5GY 4/4-3/4 7.5GY 4/4-3/4 Light to medium green Mediumgreen Medium green Color of under side 5GY 5/4-6/4 5GY 5/4-6/4 5GY5/4-6/4 Light to medium Light to medium Light to medium grey green greygreen grey green Shape in cross section Slightly concave Slightlyconcave Slightly concave to slightly convex to slightly convexInterveinal blistering Medium Medium to strong Weak to medium GlossinessMedium Strong Weak Number of leaflets 3 3 3 to 4 Terminal Leaflet:Length (cm) 9.2 9.5 7.2 Width (cm) 6.6 8.0 6.4 Length/width ratio 1.391.19 1.13 Serrations/leaf 20.7 20.7 19.3 Size Much longer Much longerLonger than broad than broad than broad Shape of base Acute Acute ObtuseShape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Length (cm) 20.8 21.1 19.0Diameter (mm) 3.6 4.7 3.1 Petiolule length (mm) 13.0 15.7 9.3 PubescenceModerate to sparse Moderate to sparse Moderate to sparse Attitude ofhairs Slightly outward Strongly outward Strongly outward Size bractleaflets Small Small to medium Small Stipules: Length (mm) 15.4 20.814.5 Width (mm) 8.3 8.5 8.4 Anthocyanin coloration Medium Medium Absentor very weak Color Light to medium Light to medium Light to medium greengreen green

TABLE 6 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ Characteristic‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Length (cm) 35.5 37.3 38.1 Positionrelative to Level with to Beneath to Above foliage above level withPubescence Weak Medium Medium Anthocyanin intensity Light Light ModerateAttitude at first pick Prostrate to Prostrate to Prostrate to erecterect erect

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ (US (US Characteristic‘PS-5096’ PP9,903) PP10,780) Petal color N9.5/90.0% R N9.5/90.0% RN9.5/90.0% R to to to N9.25/84.2% R N9.25/84.2% R N9.25/84.2% R WhiteWhite White Corolla diameter 28.0 30.6 30.5 (mm) Calyx diameter 32.038.8 34.0 (mm) Petal length (mm) 11.0 12.1 12.5 Petal width (mm) 10.111.5 10.8 Petal length/width 1.09 1.05 1.15 ratio Petals/flower 6 6.06.2 Sepal length 12.8 15.7 13.1 (mm) Sepal width (mm) 4.8 6.2 5.4 Sepallength/width 2.69 2.54 2.42 ratio Sepals/flower 12.1 11.9 12.4 Size ofcalyx relative Larger Larger Larger to corolla Size of inner calyx SameSmaller to Smaller to relative to outer same same calyx Relativeposition of Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping petals

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1150’ Characteristic‘PS-5096’ (US PP9,903) (US PP10,780) Two spotted spider mite ModeratelyModerately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Lygus bugSusceptible Susceptible Susceptible Flower thrips Moderately ModeratelyModerately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew ModeratelyModerately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Botrytis fruitrot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptibleAngular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptiblesusceptible susceptible Virus complex Unknown Unknown Unknown

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PS-5096’, as hereindescribed and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.